Goa: Calangute village will charge entry tax from tourists

The village panchayat of Calangute in North Goa has decided to make it mandatory for tourists to either show the proof of hotel reservation or pay tax for entry into its limits.

Calangute is a popular tourist destination in Goa known for its beaches.

The new decision makes it mandatory for tourists arriving there either to show a hotel reservation receipt or pay tax at the entry points.

“The panchayat would adopt the resolution and forward it to the district collector in Panaji for further action. Once approved, its implementation will happen from the next tourist season (starting in October),” said  Joseph Sequeira, Calangute sarpanch. He further added, “The panchayat decided to take the step after realizing that groups of tourists, packed in jeeps, buses and other vehicles arrive at the beach, litter it and just go away without bothering to clean the place.”

The decision to impose entry tax was taken in order to maintain cleanliness and decency and reduce the traffic issues faced by the local residents.

“We want our village to be clean so that we can attract quality tourists,” he said. Sequeira said these restrictions will only be meant for tourists and not the locals. He gave the example of Mahabaleshwar town in Maharashtra, which collects entry tax from tourists. “We will do it on lines of Mahabaleshwar Municipal Council,” he said.